Defense Undersecretary and PVAO Administrator Ernesto Carolina with the Baguio City officials led by Acting Mayor Faustino Olowan recognize the heroism of the World War II heroes during the 74th National Victory Day celebration at the Veterans Park in Baguio City on Tuesday, September 3. (RMC- PIA CAR)

TESDA at 25. TESDA - CAR Regional Director Manuel Wong and DTI Baguio - Benguet Director Freda Gawisan leads other partners from DOLE and Baguio PESO, in a Kapihan media forum, to promote the scheduled activities for TESDA's 25th Anniversary that will be highlighted by the

World class skilled Workers. PEZA Baguio deputy Zone Administrator Allan Datahan, in his keynote message at the TESDA - CAR 25 years anniversary awards and recognition program, affirms a continuing partnership with TESDA, not only in bringing work opportunity for Tech - Voc graduates inside the special economic zone but also in skills training to ensure that Filipino workforce will be globally competitive and responsive to the manpower needs of industries/investors. (Lito Dar/PIA CAR)

TESDA@25. Bartending students from the Baguio City School of Arts and Trade gives a demonstration on wine mixing during the TESDA - CAR led Kapihan media forum for the promotion of the scheduled activities for TESDA's 25th Anniversary that will be highlighted by the

Smoke Free Baguio. City Health Officials with partners and community stakeholders strengthens convergence for the attainment of the objectives of Baguio's Comprehensive Tobacco Control Ordinance through the first Smoke Free Baguio Convention at Venus Parkview Hotel, Tuesday. (Lito Dar/PIA CAR)

The mayor has ordered the restructuring of the Housing, Community Development, and Resettlement Department (HCDRD) to resolve issues and concerns in city housing program, provide free technical services and hasten the processes involved in the city government’s housing projects.

A new shelter plan will also be crafted to include guidelines in the selection of beneficiaries, housing program models, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Belmonte vows to increase burial assistance for indigent citizens from 10,000 pesos to 25,000 and medical assistance from 3,000 pesos to 5,000 pesos.

“Provisions for social protection under our city ordinances are assured to be complied and funded to support the city’s most vulnerable sector and expand the number of beneficiaries of the city educational assistance program,” the mayor said.

The Chief Executive also promised the establishment of a Solo Parents Welfare Office as well as a system in which financial assistance to fire victims will be distributed within three to five days after the validation of the social workers.

Mayor Joy Belmonte takes her oath of office June 30 with her family. (Photo courtesy of QC PAISD)

For the education sector, the mayor assured the construction of the Bagbag National Integrated High School in Novaliches.

She said Quezon City will also enter into public-private partnerships with hospitals per district to provide public school students with free eye, medical, and dental check-ups.

She also assured the city’s residents of hiring more doctors in the health cetners to ensure that there is one doctor per health center.

Belmonte pledged to fully operationalize the Rosario Maclang-Bautista General Hospital in her first three months.

The City Government will also ensure that the city-run hospitals, Quezon City General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, and Rosario Maclang-Bautista General Hospital, will be well-stocked with medicines for the residents.

According to Belmonte, her priorities will be implemented by executing four initiatives namely information and accurate data; internal governance and housekeeping; strategic planning and goal setting; and listening to citizens.

“Pagdating sa kapakanan ng QC, hindi tayo puwede manghula,” Belmonte said, stressing that accurate data should be identified to craft programs that will best address the needs of the residents.

Belmonte urged the City Council to pass an ordinance on Freedom of Information to keep the principle of transparency that will make QC a model of good governance.

She said, her administration will stick to the plans made by the City Development Council to ensure that all projects and programs are in line what the city truly needs.

She also mentioned that a feedback mechanism will be implemented for the residents to air their concerns and suggestions.

MAASIN CITY, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- More than 3,000 crown-of-thorns (COTs), specie of starfish, were seen in the waters of Malitbog town alone according to Aileen Estrera, member of the province’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan, citing a recent survey conducted by the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU).

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- The institutions and individuals who displayed excellence in the performance and delivery of services for the Surigaonons received an award during the 30th Rotary Outstanding Surigaonon Awards (ROSA) ceremony held here recently.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- Civil Service Commission (CSC) OIC-Regional Director Rosalinda Tanalaga-Oliva highlighted the significant changes in the Philippine Civil Service over the past century.

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) - - Ranking officials reiterated the government’s call for the active participation of all sectors of society in ensuring good governance, accountability and transparency programs and policies in bringing inclusive growth and progress to the country and to the people.

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- Two young professionals from this city are among the 27 youth leaders from across the country selected as Philippine Ambassadors of Goodwill for the 46th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP).

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 13 (PIA) - - Accounting of water resources in the Cordillera Administrative Region(CAR) is set into motion with the Philippine Statistics Authority regional office (PSA) convening a joint meeting – workshop of the Task Force Water Resource Accounting and the Technical Working Group on Environment Statistics .

Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Sept. 12(PIA) -- The Department of Education – Cordillera has directed all public and private schools in the region to conduct activities to commemorate the 1986 Mount Data “Sipat” or Peace Accord every September 13.

ITOGON, Benguet, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- The municipal government of Itogon will conduct rituals to commemorate the first year anniversary of the tragic landslide that hit the province of Benguet and this town at the height of typhoon Ompong last year.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Sept. 13 (PIA) - - The Provincial Rabies Control Consultative Committee gathered various stakeholders for a consultative meeting to bolster programs and activities for the prevention, control and the ultimate eradication of rabies in the province.

Mt. Province

BONTOC, Mountain Province, Aug. 31(PIA) -- Sangguniang Kabataan(SK) members in the province celebrated the Linggo ng Kabataan with various activities actively participated by out-of-school youth, in-school youth and working youth of the different municipalities in the province.

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The House of Representatives approved on first reading a proposed bill seeking for the termination of the collection of toll fees along the portion of the Benguet road, popularly known as Kennon road, from Klondykes Spring to Camp 6, repealing for the purpose Executive Order No. 34, series of 1954 as amended.

BONTOC, Mountain Province, Aug. 6(PIA) -- To raise community awareness and to inculcate health and nutrition habits for children at an early age for healthy living, the provincial government conducted Healthy Mother and Child and cooking contests in celebration of this year’s Nutrition Month.

BONTOC, Mountain Province, July 22 (PIA) -- The Provincial Livelihood Program (PLP) of the Provincial Government here continues to provide livelihood assistance to qualified individuals in the province.

LAGAWE, Ifugao, Aug. 15 (PIA) - - In line with the goal to eliminate human rabies by the year 2020, the support of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) as frontline workers in the communities is being tapped.